Updated: Looks like Zach O’Brien won’t be drawn to the Flames for training camp

The Western Star

Published: Sep 10 at 8:14 a.m.

Updated: Sep 10 at 10:38 a.m.

O’Brien spent part of last season with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. — Bakersfield Condors photo - Flickr

He says reports say he'll attend Calgary's camp is erroneous

Zach O’Brien says a report he’ll be attending the training camp of the NHL’s Calgary Flames is wrong.

Sportsnet had reported the Flames were looking at bringing O’Brien, who split the 2017-18 season between the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, to camp on an invitation.

“The (Sportsnet) reporter made a mistake about saying I’m going to Flames camp, “ O’Brien told The Telegram. “I think it’s someone else with the last name O’Brien.

“I’m leaving for Toronto Maple Leafs camp this week.”

O’Brien signed an American Hockey League contract with the Maple Leafs’ primary farm team, the Toronto Marlies. Because O’Brien is not on an NHL contract, he would technically be able to attend another organization’s camp, but he and the Leafs are apparently true blue to each other.

Last season, O’Brien was at the Edmonton Oilers’ camp and was eventually returned to the Condors, with whom, he had an AHL contract.

By the way, the Flames actually have two training camps beginning later this month, so they need extra bodies. The main camp will be in China, where they will play the Boston Bruins in exhibition games, while a second camp will be back at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.